During our trip to Paris in 2003, we decided to take a day trip to Tours, France where we were scheduled to meet at the (get this) Office of Tourism to meet the tour group (I’ve got a million of ‘em) for our tour (told ya!) of the Chateaus and Castles of the Loire Valley.
One of the major tenets that I ascribe to is “If you’re going to travel in a metal contraption with recirculated, stale air for over 8 hours, make it count!” Therefore, we try to include day trips in our travels as a way of stretching our dollar as far as it will go.
I was most impressed with the Chateau de Chenonceau mostly because it was impressively expansive and gracefully sat just over the River Cher. This incredibly checkered ballroom floor is situated right above the river. This photo’s viewpoint makes the floor look interminable as if it has no end, that it is indeed the pathway to history.
If you allow yourself to let your imagination soar, you can see a 3-dimensional time portal open as you get halfway down the hall. On the other side, you will find yourself in the middle of an exquisite ball that’s being held there with ladies in all of their finery being escorted by gentlemen of stature and means.
This photo is part of the Travel Photo Thursday series which is the brainchild of Nancie M with Budget Travelers Sandbox.
Grace says
May 5, 2011 at 4:00 pmThe photo gets trippy when you look at the ceiling and the floor at the same time!
Renee says
May 6, 2011 at 7:39 amYes, the perspective is definitely an attention grabber!
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:07 amGrace, I am embarrassed to admit that I hadn’t really thought of it that way. You are very perceptive about depth perception!
Michael Figueiredo says
May 5, 2011 at 5:44 pmBeautiful photos and I like your new “watermark” too!
Renee says
May 5, 2011 at 8:30 pmThanks, Mike….I’d been wanting one for awhile and my daughter finally obliged me.
Debbie Beardsley says
May 5, 2011 at 6:01 pmVery lovely photographs of a fabulous castle!
Renee says
May 5, 2011 at 7:01 pmThanks, Debbie!
Nancie says
May 5, 2011 at 6:26 pmWonderful shot Renee! I’m with you on the day trips; often much cheaper than going and staying close to a particular tourist attraction.
I had a brainchild? 🙂 (laughing here)
Renee says
May 5, 2011 at 7:00 pmThanks, Nancie! I guess brainchild is a bit dramatic, huh? I’ll change it next time. lol
David says
May 5, 2011 at 7:48 pmRenée,
How did you manage to get the main room of Chenonceaux all for yourself? 🙂
After all, it’s only the second most visited castle in France.
Renee says
May 5, 2011 at 8:24 pmOur group was small, I believe one group was leaving as we arrived and I managed to get to the ballroom before anyone else. It was also in March….so that may have increased our good fortune. Thanks for the correct spelling too.
David says
May 7, 2011 at 4:59 amMarch could explain this indeed.
Yet I’m still surprised. You got lucky I guess. 🙂
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:02 amI swear to you….I’m not kidding! Did you read my Romantic Castles article? We really didn’t have that many people in our party.
jade says
May 6, 2011 at 1:00 amAgree with Grace- it’s an optical illusion!
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:04 amYep…definitely
Muza-chan says
May 6, 2011 at 2:14 amBeautiful photo 🙂
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:03 amThanks!
Cathy Sweeney says
May 7, 2011 at 12:52 amTours is such a great place to “tour”! (I couldn’t help it either.) This is a very cool photo. Love all the shapes and angles. Grace was right about it being kind of trippy when you look at the floor and ceiling at the same time. Made me feel a little woozy.
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:03 amSee….it’s infectious! I agree with Grace too.
robin says
May 7, 2011 at 7:44 amLooks right up my street – would love to see it someday and I suppose I’m not too far away…
Renee says
May 7, 2011 at 10:01 amYou should do the entire tour, Robin….we got to visit Leonardo DaVinci’s summer house too. Lots of great photo opps…..
Billye Survis says
May 9, 2011 at 8:35 amBeautiful, beautiful pictures! Reminds me of my trips to Europe.
Renee says
May 9, 2011 at 8:47 amThanks, Billye!